Description
Crease Park was probably once part of Eden Park estate, formerly called Eden Farm. The park was opened in July 1936 by Alderman James Crease JP, after who it was named in honour of his ‘unremitting endeavours towards the acquisition of open spaces in Beckenham’. He had served as a member of the local authority since 1898.
Practical Information
| Site location | Village Way/Wellhouse Road, Beckenham |
|---|---|
| Postcode | BR3 3JR |
| What3Words | ///shine.spare.claim |
| Type of Site | Public Park |
| Borough | Bromley |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Facilities | Children’s play area; goal mouth |
| Public Transport | Rail: Eden Park c500m to the south. Bus: 352, 367. |
| Research Updated | 1 December 2006 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
The park slopes to the south and the mown grass is decorated with a number of specimen trees, including holm oak, mature cedar of Lebanon, and a predominance of hornbeams, oak, birch and horse chestnut. A grassed children's play area, enclosed within wooden palings, is situated to the south-east. There are views to the south from the high point of the site. A tarmac path from the top divides into two serpentine paths leading down to Wellhouse Road, which is named after an old well house that stood nearby; the well and ruins of Eden Park existed until Beckenham Heights were developed in the 1920s. On Village Way are cast iron railings and brick gate piers.
The park is now managed by idverde UK, which in June 2015 was contracted by Bromley Council for the management of the borough's parks, green spaces and countryside service, a relationship that was extended in April 2019 for a further 16 years.
The park is now managed by idverde UK, which in June 2015 was contracted by Bromley Council for the management of the borough's parks, green spaces and countryside service, a relationship that was extended in April 2019 for a further 16 years.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ370683 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 6.5 |
| Site Ownership | LB Bromley |
| Site Management | idverde |
| Dates | 1936 |
| On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens | No |
| Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965 | No |
| Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931 | No |
| Local Authority | Bromley |
| In Conservation Area | No |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
| Other LA Designation | Urban Open Space |
Please note the Inventory and its content are provided for your general information only and are subject to change. It is your responsibility to check the accuracy.
Nearby parks and gardens
From at least the C16th the area consisted of parkland with a few large houses and farmland. The Harvington Estate, as it has been known since 1964, was formed from land belonging to Eden Farm, built c.1834, and to three houses built from 1871: Harvington, Homewood and Chalfont. The land was acquired at various dates from 1946 onwards and the estate was unified by Beckenham Council in 1964 and given to the people of Beckenham as a public area for sport and recreation as Harvington Sports Ground. The four lodges that once served the houses remained although the houses were demolished.
In 1890 the Local Board purchased a 17-hectare meadow in Croydon Road next to the Cottage Hospital for a recreation ground. Croydon Road Recreation Ground was opened in 1891 and most of its original features are still intact, such as the ornamental entrance gates, lodge and railed bandstand, now listed. The bandstand is now known as the Bowie Bandstand to commemorate the influential musician David Bowie's associations with not only Beckenham but with the bandstand itself. Croydon Road Recreation Ground provided facilities for cricket, bowls and other sports that were gaining in popularity. Early sporting activities included an annual cricket match held between the coachmen and gardeners of the local gentry, and bowls commenced as early as 1902.
A municipal park that opened in 1913, featuring lakes and watercourses, Kelsey Park has much earlier origins. Elaborate formal gardens including a lake are recorded on John Roque’s plan of 1741-45. The park is named after the Kelsey family who owned the estate in the C15th. The last house to occupy the site was built in the late C18th at which time the estate belonged to the Burrell family. In the C19th the estate was held by the Hoare banking family until 1908.